Equality for LGBT people in Springfield compares poorly to Missouri's major cities and to the rest of the country, according to a new study published by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

The city, in a statement, focused on its positive qualities and noted that "as one of the country's least diverse regions ... we have much work to do. We will, however, continue to address this issue head-on."

Springfield is one of more than 500 cities, including eight in Missouri, that the study examined using what it calls the Municipal Equality Index, "the only nationwide rating system of LGBTQ inclusion in municipal law and policy," the campaign said Thursday in a news release.

Overall, the campaign was optimistic, noting that more cities had earned perfect scores than when the study was first conducted in 2012. Officials with the organization touted their metrics as guideposts for businesses and city officials seeking to become more progressive in order to improve economically.

"This year's (study) paints a vivid picture: cities big and small, in red and blue states alike, are continuing our progress toward full equality, regardless of the political drama unfolding in Washington, D.C., and in state legislatures across the country," said campaign president Chad Griffin in a statement. "Today, the (study) serves as a vital tool for business leaders and municipal officials alike when it comes to economic development."

If that's true, Springfield officials have work to do to improve the area's economic climate.

The average score nationally was 57 out of 100, with Missouri cities scoring 48 on average, according to data from the Human Rights Campaign study. The three Missouri cities with top scores — St. Louis, Kansas City and Columbia — actually earned more than the 100-point cap thanks to bonus points, and Columbia was highlighted as a success story in the study.

It is a testament to the progressiveness of those three cities for their ability to attain perfect scores, as Missouri's Human Rights Act does not consider sexual orientation or gender identity to be protected social classes like race, gender and religion. LGBT activists have tried unsuccessfully for two decades to give gay, lesbian and transgender people these protections in Missouri law, which would prohibit businesses from firing people because they are gay or because they identify as a gender other than their sex at birth.

This is by design, according to the Human Rights Campaign, which "weights state and municipal law such that the effect of excellent or restrictive state law does not determine the city’s ability to score well."

Springfield earned a score of 21, with full points in only two categories: 12 awarded because local law enforcement reported hate crimes statistics to the FBI and 5 points for establishing and maintaining a local human rights commission.

The city earned one out of five possible points for "leadership's public position on LGBTQ equality" and one out of three for "leadership's pro-equality legislative or policy efforts." Providing services to people with HIV and AIDS earned Springfield two bonus points.

The zeroes on Springfield's score sheet are so numerous they blend together. The city earned zero points regarding protections for either sexual orientation or gender identity in the following categories:

Non-discrimination laws

Non-discrimination in city employment

City contractor non-discrimination ordinance

Transgender-inclusive health care benefits

Having an LGBT liaison in the city manager's office or the police department

Several bonus categories, including providing various services or having an elected or appointed LGBT city leader.

Of the cities Springfield considers "benchmarks" when it comes to sales tax revenue, 13 were surveyed by the Human Rights Campaign.

Though Waco and Amarillo in Texas also scored in the 20s, all but one of the others — Huntsville, Alabama — earned more points than the Queen City.

City response

In a statement, Springfield spokeswoman Cora Scott focused on the positive aspects of the city's doing as opposed to the many voids identified by the Human Rights Campaign. The city's statement is reprinted in full below:

"The City of Springfield led a community strategic planning process that resulted in the Field Guide 2030, an evolving blueprint for the community’s future. In that plan, a vision for the Springfield region to be a welcoming community that celebrates our similarities as well as our differences was laid out in the global perspectives and diversity chapter. As one of the country’s least diverse regions (for cities our size), we have much work to do. We will, however, continue to address this issue head-on. Achieving the goals and objectives within this chapter will move us toward becoming a more welcoming, inclusive community. We are pleased to see that some efforts, including the establishment of a local human rights commission, were recognized. We are pleased to have an engaged group of commission members."

"Some new things we are doing include an emphasis in improving diversity recruitment for both police and fire departments, including hosting a diversity panel on hand for public meetings to field questions from people interested in becoming police officers and police department-wide training on cultural consciousness. Meetings for both these types of events include representatives from the LGBT community to help facilitate dialogue and understanding."

"The City is also very supportive and has been very involved in Missouri State University’s outstanding efforts to improve diversity and inclusion and will continue to be involved with the strategies moving forward."